Extra Info Teacher Guide The Extra Layer
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Duration: 75 Minutes
Level: Adult A2 / Pre-Intermediate
Target: Non-defining Relative Clauses
Learning Objectives
Distinguish between essential and extra information.
Correct use of commas in non-defining clauses.
Understanding that "that" is not used in this context.
Materials Needed
• Lesson Presentation Slides (7 Slides)
• "The Extra Layer" Student Handout
• "Secret Lives" Speaking Cards (Pre-cut)
• Highlighters (Optional)
Pacing & Flow
00-10
Warm-Up: The Mystery Guests
Use the slides to introduce Lionel Messi, Taylor Swift, or the Eiffel Tower. Elicit "Essential" facts (He is the man who...) vs "Extra" facts (Messi, who lives in Miami, ...). Focus on how names make the relative clause non-essential.
10-25
Discovery & Presentation
Focus on the "comma sandwich" visual. Explicitly highlight that "that" is forbidden. Remind students that "who" is for people and "which" is for things.
25-45
Controlled Practice: Sentence Surgery
Students work on the 10 combination exercises and 5 error-spotting tasks. Encourage them to "cut and paste" the information in their heads to form the sandwich.
45-65
Speaking Phase 1: The Secret Lives Cards
In pairs, students embellish character cards. (e.g., "Sarah Miller, who owns a private jet, is actually an accountant.") They must write their sentences down first to check the commas.
65-75
Speaking Phase 2: Gossip Circle
Mingle activity. Pairs share their character's secret life with other pairs. Listening pairs must repeat the "extra layer" back to the speakers.
Facilitation Deep Dive
Warm-Up Examples
Taylor Swift (Person)
"Taylor Swift, who has millions of fans , is a billionaire."
The Eiffel Tower (Thing)
"The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889 , is in Paris."
Anticipated Challenges
1. Overuse of "That"
Crucial: Remind A2 students that while they can use "that" in defining clauses, it is strictly forbidden in non-defining clauses.
2. Missing the Second Comma
Students often remember the first comma but forget to "close" the sandwich. Use a hand clap or gesture for each comma during oral practice.
Extra Layer Handout The Extra Layer
Non-defining Relative Clauses
Name:
Date:
The Discovery
Compare these two sentences about a neighbor:
Sentence A (Defining)
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
Essential info: We need this to know which woman we are talking about.
Sentence B (Non-defining)
Mrs. Green, who lives next door, is a doctor.
Extra info: We already know her name (Mrs. Green). The clause is just a bonus detail.
The Comma Sandwich
When we add "extra" information, we must use commas to separate it from the main sentence.
Main Sntc , extra , Rest.
The No-No Zone
Never use "that" in non-defining clauses.
Use "who" for people.
Use "which" for things.
Sentence Surgery
Combine the two sentences using a non-defining relative clause. Don't forget the commas!
1. Paris is the capital of France. It is known as the City of Light.
2. My brother works in London. He is an architect.
3. The new iPhone costs $1,000. It was released yesterday.
4. Rafael Nadal has won many titles. He is from Spain.
5. Tokyo is the world's most populous city. It is very clean.
6. My teacher is very friendly. She comes from Canada.
7. The Amazon Rainforest is in South America. It is the largest rainforest in the world.
8. William Shakespeare was a famous writer. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
9. This laptop is quite heavy. It belongs to my boss.
10. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889. It is made of iron.
Spot the Error
One sentence is correct, four are wrong. Identify the mistakes and rewrite the sentences correctly.
A
"My car, that I bought last year, is already broken."
B
"London who is on the River Thames is a big city."
C
"The Prime Minister who lives at 10 Downing Street, is meeting the King today."
D
"My best friend, that lives in New York, is coming to visit me."
E
"This sandwich, which I made this morning is delicious."
Secret Lives Speaking Cards Secret Lives
Speaking Activity Scaffolding
How to build your sentence:
The Formula
[Name] , who [Secret Detail] , is a [Job].
ID: 4882-B
Mr. Henderson
Librarian
Secret Ideas
speaks 10 languages
was a spy in the Cold War
is secretly a ninja
ID: 1029-A
Sarah Miller
Accountant
Secret Ideas
wins poker tournaments
has a pet tiger at home
is a heavy metal singer
ID: 9901-C
Officer Ben
Police Officer
Secret Ideas
writes romantic poetry
loves baking cupcakes
is a champion chess player
ID: 3341-F
Mrs. Rossi
Teacher
Secret Ideas
was a famous rock star
lives in a giant castle
collects vintage Ferraris
ID: 2110-G
David Kim
Chef
Secret Ideas
hates eating vegetables
is a professional gamer
speaks to his cat in French
ID: 5567-K
Elena Gomez
Taxi Driver
Secret Ideas
is a secret princess
won the lottery last week
is a professional astronaut
Student Mission
Choose a person and one "Secret Idea". Use a non-defining relative clause to share their secret with your group. Remember to pause for the commas!
Extra Layer Slides The Extra Layer
Non-defining Relative Clauses
Level: A2 / Pre-Intermediate
Mystery Guest #1
Lionel Messi
Essential Info (Defining)
He is the player who won the World Cup.
Extra Layer (Non-defining)
Messi, who currently plays in Miami, was born in Argentina.
Mystery Guest #2
Taylor Swift
Essential Info (Defining)
She is the singer who wrote "Shake It Off".
Extra Layer (Non-defining)
Taylor Swift, who has millions of fans, is a billionaire.
Mystery Guest #3
The Eiffel Tower
Essential Info (Defining)
It is the monument which is in Paris.
Extra Layer (Non-defining)
The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889, is very tall.
Why two commas?
Defining
The man who lives next door is nice.
Essential. No commas needed!
Non-defining
Mr. Smith, who lives next door, is nice.
Extra layer. Commas act like brackets!
The Comma Sandwich
Subject ,
who / which ...
, Verb...
Never use "that"!
Use 2 commas!
Extra info only!
Speaking Mission
Meet ordinary people... with secret lives.
"Our neighbor, who works in a bank, is actually a secret spy!"
Extra Layer Answer Key The Extra Layer
Teacher's Answer Key
Sentence Surgery Answers
1. Paris / City of Light
Paris, which is the capital of France, is known as the City of Light.
2. My brother / Architect
My brother, who works in London, is an architect.
3. The new iPhone / Released yesterday
The new iPhone, which was released yesterday, costs $1,000.
4. Rafael Nadal / From Spain
Rafael Nadal, who has won many titles, is from Spain.
5. Tokyo / Clean
Tokyo, which is the world's most populous city, is very clean.
6. My teacher / From Canada
My teacher, who is very friendly, comes from Canada.
7. Amazon Rainforest / Largest
The Amazon Rainforest, which is in South America, is the largest rainforest in the world.
8. Shakespeare / Born in Stratford
William Shakespeare, who was a famous writer, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
9. Laptop / Belongs to boss
This laptop, which is quite heavy, belongs to my boss.
10. Eiffel Tower / Iron
The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889, is made of iron.
Spot the Error: Fixed
A. Problem: Use of "that"
"My car, which I bought last year, is already broken."
B. Problem: Missing commas & wrong relative pronoun
"London, which is on the River Thames, is a big city."
C. Problem: Missing first comma
"The Prime Minister, who lives at 10 Downing Street, is meeting the King today."
D. Problem: Use of "that" (correct: "who")
"My best friend, who lives in New York, is coming to visit me."
E. Problem: Missing second comma
"This sandwich, which I made this morning, is delicious."
